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Applying the Catholic Lever

The Citizen has been feeling like Diogenes these past several days. I have been trolling for information on candidates, looking for ones – Catholic or no – that I felt comfortable supporting. For those who have forgotten their Greek philosophers, Diogenes – among his many antics – carried a lantern with him, seeking an ‘honest man’. While the Citizen is not impugning the honesty of any candidate, there are only a couple that the Citizen feels comfortable seeing move forward.

Second District Race

The Citizen has been following Daria Novak for quite some time. She worked for the State Department under Ronald Reagan, she supports reforming health care so that it compassionate and affordable. She argues for limited government, fiscal restraint, local control over local issues, and is pro-life. She has also run a responsible, issues-driven campaign free of the muck-flinging that has become the standard for many candidates. Mr. Courtney, the incumbent, is a disappointment for the Citizen. A Catholic, Mr. Courtney enjoys a perfect rating from NARAL. His support for a flawed health care bill and his demonstrated belief that he needs to vote the party line instead of representing the interests of the 2nd District, make Mr. Courtney a bad choice for the practical Catholic.

For these reasons, the Citizen is thrilled to support Daria Novak’s candidacy. She has the values, experience, and perspective that we need representing us in Washington. She has campaigned hard, earned the party endorsement, and will be a great representative for eastern Connecticut.

Attorney General Race

This is the only other race where a clear choice quickly emerged.

Martha. Dean has come under attack lately, being accused of advocating the decriminalization of cocaine and heroin use, according to her primary challenger. She also was accused of advocating student gun training in the classroom. The Citizen did some investigating. Ms. Dean argued that the war on drugs was unsustainable – and she has a point. According to some sources, the federal and state cost of this war is some 30 billion dollars – for 2010 alone. Unfortunately, the drug wars along the borders of our southern states clearly demonstrate that this money is a drop in the bucket for an illegal industry that likely makes 30 billion dollars in a matter of weeks – if not days. She isn’t advocating drug use – rather, she argues that what we are doing is not working. Her comments about guns and schools were also taken out of context. Ms. Dean is also pro-life. She has spoken out against the death penalty and abortion. While the Attorney General has little to do with some of the issues she discusses, it is refreshing to see a candidate explain her position on important issues. This is quite rare this year. With deceptive advertisements, coupled with very little information on his position on issues, Mr. Garber is an unattractive choice for the upcoming primary. George Jepsen, the democratic candidate, seems to advocate the same approach to the office that Blumenthal made infamous. We have had quite enough of Blumenthal’s anti-business, self-promoting antics … we don’t need a sequel.

The Citizen is pleased to support Martha Dean for the office of Attorney General.

Senate Race

Unfortunately, the field is littered with bad choices. In the Senate race, there is not one candidate that supports life issues. Mr. Simmons while a member of the House, voted against the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. He has consistently voted to support abortion. If elected, it is unlikely that he will change – in fact, he has recently spoken in support of expanding abortion under the president’s so-called health care act. Ms. McMahon is also strongly pro-abortion. Mr. Blumenthal is an unacceptable choice for a number of reasons. Peter Schiff comes closest – he argues that it is the prerogative of the states and the Federal government should have no role in these issues. While there are more issues than abortion in a political contest, this is – or should be – the yardstick Catholics use to measure candidates. No clear pro-Catholic choice for the Senate race.

Mr. Schiff is the best of the lot.

Governor Race

We lack pro-life candidates running for governor. Malloy, Fedele, Foley, Greibel….none of them shine. The Connecticut Catholic Conference sent a questionnaire to candidates. Only Mr. Foley and Mr. Fedele answered. Of the two sets of responses, Mr. Fedele was marginally more favorable to a Catholic perspective – at least on one financial issue. The issue concerned tax credits for private and religious school choice. Conversely, as Lt. Governor, he has been involved in the mishaps and follies of the Rell administration. On life issues, neither expressed support for abolishing the death penalty. Both advocated requiring parents or guardians to be informed when an underage child seeks an abortion. In Connecticut, the current law allows a minor to have an abortion without notification. Both oppose physician-assisted suicide. Ned Lamont? In his failed run for Congress, he was an ardent supporter of abortion and embryonic stem cell research. In this election? Like many, he chooses not to advertise his position on his website. Take a guess. Dan Malloy? Another cipher – perhaps candidates believe that if they don’t take a position, no one will ask….

Foley? Fedele? Either one is the best in a field of mediocre choices.

Endorsements

For their positions, the Citizen can categorically support only two candidates.

Ms. Novak for the republican nomination – and hopefully – the 2nd District Connecticut seat.

Ms. Dean wins the support of the Citizen for Attorney General.

It is appalling that there are only two candidates that stand out as good choices for Catholics. In a state that is still about 50% Catholic.

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1 comment for “Applying the Catholic Lever”

Thank you for your endorsement. I will continue to work hard to be able to serve as the voice of the people of Eastern CT after November. It means a lot that you examined the candidates and chose to support me in my bid to take back the 2nd Congressional District for the people. These are very serious times for our great nation. After I go to Washington I will continue to listen and to work hard to keep your trust. Citizens, please remember, we must participate if we are to keep our great country free and prosperous. I pray that everyone who is registered comes out to vote. Again, thank you for your endorsement. Daria